ITALY EXTENDS DURATION OF AIR DEFENSE MISSION IN TURKEY

Robert HARNEIS -TDO- (FRANCE)- The Italian parliament has decided to extend the mandate of the Italian SAMP-T missile defense system deployed in Turkey's south eastern province of Kahramanmaraş until Dec. 31.

The decision on Italy's international missions was adopted by the Assembly and the Senate's joint foreign commission.

After being approved by the Senate on July 9, the decision will enter into force with the signature of President Sergio Mattarrella.

Italy placed the air defense systems in Kahramanmaraş, after Turkey's demand from NATO on June 6, 2016.

Last week, Spain also extended the deployment of its missiles in Turkey's southern Adana province until the end of this year.

The extension process will be officially announced after approval from NATO.

Spain's Patriot air defense missiles have been deployed in Adana since 2015 after Turkey's request for NATO assistance.

In May of this year a Russian defense expert, told Sputnik that the SAMP-T is not the equivalent of the Russian S-400 but more like the Russian Bouk system., a medium range system with medium sized missiles.